Modern Vespa

It snowed a bit in Toronto yesterday and the city started dumping salt all over the place so I decided it was time to put the Vespa to bed for the winter.

Got my second service done at the shop, so both oils were changed along with the filter. I removed the battery, over inflated the tires, added fuel stabilizer, sealed the end of the muffler (with a balloon) and put er up on some wood under my bike barn (http://www.thebikebarn.net). I also gave her a good washing and waxing.

Did I miss anything important?

It's going to be a long 5 months - today is a sad, sad day.

I feel for ya bud! I was fortunate enough to go for a ride today but it was still pretty cold. I am lucky enough to live in a valley close to the desert where it can get up to 50(f) on some days in the winter so I get to do a little riding. I can't think of anything else you might need to do except maybe top off the fuel tank to keep water out - someone correct me if I'm wrong. At least you have something to look forward to when spring comes.

So far no road salt in my part of Toronto. I went for a short ride yesterday - will do another today. I plan on commuting to work tomorrow. It will be chilly, but dry. Unfortunately starting Tuesday the weather looks awful - hovering around freezing with rain/snow mix.

Colin - I'm going to hope for a fairly dry winter and keep my scooter out for short local runs (grocery store, etc.) all winter. We'll see.......

I'm so glad I live in Australia. Its coming up to summer! 8)

You are very brave, Christine! For me, when it gets below about 2 or 3 celcius (35F for the Yanks) its just not fun to ride around!

I'm also very concerned about getting salt allover the underside of my beloved Vespa. And we both know the City of Toronto isn't at all shy about using road salt!

You would be wise to wash your GT frequently if you plan to ride in the winter.

I'll keep riding too. Salt is a major concern of mine. I guess i'll just have to wash it enough... When there's ice or snow, I'll give in and ask the misses to drive me to work...

Salt has got to be the number one worst thing about winter driving (scootering, motorcycling, bicycling). In our area, number two is sand. I don't even ride my road bicycle when the streets are white with salt powder. It wreaks havoc on those expensive aluminum Shimano groupos. Some years we have a comparatively mild winter here, with little or no snow accumulation. Every so often we get a few feet of snow. You Canadians can't seem to escape the snow though.

We are fortunate in Denver to be able to ride almost year 'round, depending on the temp. It's usually sunny and dry! Here's a photo from the 2nd annual Scoot for Toys event which took place last Saturday to benefit Ronald McDonald House:

http://www.ericomotorsports.com/images/gallery/2005/sft/sft-23.jpg

More photos at the Erico site under "News/Events"

There were almost 100 riders at the event, which was a huge success!

Scooting on...

Wow! Great turnout. Excellent cause too.

I rode to work today...it was actually quite nice. It might be the last commuting day until next spring. I was hoping for tomorrow as well, but the forecast is calling for flurries.

As for riding around home all winter for errands and such...maybe I'm just talking big or deluding myself - only time will tell.

I agree that salt will be my big problem, but I have a pretty good place to wash down my scooter. My house is on a sloping lot and the basement door opens right into the driveway. I can wash my scooter in the laundry room (until my husband points out how silly riding all winter is).

I weep openly for scooters in storage. So sad.